ISW News Roundup - March 19, 2009

Iraq

Associated Press - Iraqi cleric urges followers to denounce violence

Associated Press - Iraq better but future shaky, by Robert H. Reid

Associated Press - Iraq: Key figures since the war began

RFE/RL - Iraq Sees First Western Tour Group Since Saddam's Fall

Department of Defense - Iraq Uses Foreign Military Sales to Rebuild, Strengthen Security Forces, by Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg

 

Afghanistan

Voice of America - US Preparing Possible 'Surge' in Afghanistan

Reuters - U.S. mulls counter-insurgency push in Afghanistan, by Arshad Mohammed

Department of Defense - Afghanistan War 'Absolutely Winnable,' Top Commander Says, by Donna Miles

Reuters - Obama considers expanding Afghan security force:

Christian Science Monitor - Key Afghan insurgents open door to talks, by Anand Gopal

Washington Post - Civilians to Join Afghan Buildup, by Karen DeYoung

Long War Journal - Airstrike kills Taliban commanders in southern Afghanistan, by Bill Roggio

Washington Times - Britain says Afghan war at 'stalemate', by Sara A. Carter

Associated Press - 10th Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan

Associated Press - Afghan raids kill 2 militants

LA Times - 7 suspects held in Afghanistan attacks, by M. Karim Faiez and Laura King

Associated Press - Karzai: Afghanistan not 'puppet state', by Fisnik Abrashi

Associated Press - Roadside bomb kills Afghan lawmaker, by Noor Khan and Amir Shah

Reuters - Bomb attack kills Afghan MP, four bodyguards, by Hamid Shalizi

The Times - Nato calls for 4,000 extra troops to safeguard Afghanistan poll, by David Charter

Reuters - Poland says will boost forces in Afghanistan

Associated Press - U.S. ambassador to Albania cleared in ammo cover-up

BBC - Afghan women who turn to immolation, by Martin Patience

 

Pakistan

Washington Times - Taliban shifts to southwest Pakistan, by Raza Khan

Washington Post - Briton: Extremist in Pakistan a Key Target, by Ann Scott Tyson

The Times - How 'Little London' Quetta became a haven for the militants, by Catherine Philip

Associated Press - Pakistan gov't appeals rulings against Sharifs

The Times - Obama urged to escalate drone bombing raids deep into Pakistan, by Jeremy Page and Zahid Hussain

 

Israel

Associated Press - Palestinian reconciliation talks break up, no deal

Reuters - Israeli soldiers break ranks over Gaza war, by Jeffrey Heller

Reuters - Israelis round up Hamas politicians in West Bank, by Mohammed Assadi

Reuters - Israeli missile kills 2 Gaza militants: Palestinians

New York Times - After Gaza, Israel Grapples With Crisis of Isolation, by Ethan Bronner

Washington Times - Military checking reports of ethical abuse in Gaza, by Amy Tiebel

 

Region

Iran

Reuters - Iranian satellite completes mission: state TV

Reuters - U.S. plans soon to ease ban on contacts with Iran, by Sue Pleming

Tajikistan

RFE/RL - Tajikistan Starts Building Railroad To Afghan Border

Somalia

Associated Press - Bin Laden rallies Somali militants in Web message, by Maggie Michael

North Korea

Voice of America - Reports: North Korean Military Detains 2 American Journalists

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